Marilyn Ida Brown February 10, 1933 – January 01, 2019 Share this obituary View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Marilyn I. Brown, lifelong resident of Walla Walla, died January 1, 2019. Marilyn was born in Walla Walla on February 10, 1933 to Averell A. and Mary Carley Fisher. She graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1951 and immediately went to work as secretary to Allen Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent of Walla Walla School District 140.
On July 7, 1951, she and Ramon V. Brown were married. Marilyn left her job in 1952 to raise her family, then returned to work in 1969 as secretary to Franklin B. “Pete” Hanson, then Superintendent of the Walla Walla School District. During her 40+ years in this position, she was proud to have worked for four superintendents: Franklin B. “Pete” Hanson, Dennis Ray, Ellen Wolf, and Rich Carter, and she loved her job.
One of the highlights of her life and career was the wonderful retirement event hosted in her honor, where she was deeply touched and moved to tears by the large number of associates and friends who turned out to pay her tribute and wish her well. The gift from the school board of a montage of Walla Walla Schools was what she always hoped to receive, and it always had a place of honor in her home, where she could see it every day. Marilyn was proud to be a farm wife, and helped Ramon by driving truck and running for parts.
When he was working late in spring pea harvest, haying, wheat harvest in the summer, and in the fall sugar beet harvest, she and the girls would take home-cooked meals to the field so they could spend time together as a family on a busy farm. When their daughters, Connie and Jerri, joined 4-H, Marilyn and Ramon became 4-H leaders of the Cowboy Cooks 4-H Club and were happy to hold club meetings, horse riding practices, Christmas wreath-making sessions, and Halloween parties at their home, and they drove the truck every year for the annual 4-H club hay ride. Summers she cooked meals over the campfire during another annual 4-H club event, a week-end trail ride in the Target Meadows-Jubilee Lake area.
Although she was never fully comfortable being around horses (and had to hide her eyes when the girls competed in barrel racing), or pulling a horse trailer, she gamely did everything she could to help the girls in their active horse-related lifestyle – although the girls recall some interesting stories involving parking in rodeo lots and trying to get out, since mom didn’t ever quite conquer how to back up the horse trailer! A talented seamstress who loved to sew, she branched out from making school clothes and Western clothing for the girls and her own clothing to becoming much in demand at designing and tailoring beautiful riding court outfits for the All-Girl Rodeo Court and others. Several barrel racing competitors approached her too, and the stunning ensembles she designed and sewed for them were much admired and desired.
Anyone who ever had one of Marilyn’s popcorn balls never forgot them, and she made hundreds in her lifetime to share with friends and neighbors and as gifts and a way to say thank you. This only led to more demand, as they were truly “the best”! She and Ramon loved to drive and travel when they could, taking off on Sundays and never being sure where they might head or when they might be home that night.
They were able to take many trips, and had many more planned until Ramon suffered a series of strokes. Marilyn cared for Ramon at home for several years until it became too much for her, then she visited him constantly in the wonderful home where he lived. Marilyn was so happy to have been able to remain on the farm until about a year ago, when she moved into Miranda’s Home Care and was cared for so lovingly by Alicia, Armando, Enrique, Marianna, and others.
Our very special thanks to them and to Dr. Lauri Larson, her very caring physician. She always loved animals, especially cats and dogs, and was happiest looking out her window to see the horses and cows and calves in the pastures around her house and the tractors going in her farm fields. Her beloved former son-in-law, Jim Vinti, was instrumental in ensuring that she could keep the farm, and she depended on him to a huge extent and he in turn cherished her and always called her “mom”.
Survivors include two daughters, Connie Vinti and Jerri Ramsey, both of Walla Walla, former son-in-law, Jim Vinti, several much loved nieces and nephews, and her dearest lifelong friend, Jeanine Griffin. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ramon, in 2013, after 61 years of marriage; a sister Margaret Johnson in 2010; and two brothers, Lawrence (Larry) Fisher in 2007 and Gordon Fisher in 1944, while serving in the US Army in Holland in WWII. A private family graveside service is planned and a gathering to remember Marilyn will be held Wednesday, January 9, 2019, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott, 550 West Rose, Walla Walla.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society, Walla Walla Community Hospice, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
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